Blue Jays Reach World Series After Game 7 Comeback
-
By Harry Kettle
- —
Summary:
- Shane Bieber made a gutsy return from injury, helping the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 4–3 in Game 7.
- George Springer’s three-run homer in the seventh sealed the Blue Jays’ comeback.
- The Jays are getting ready for the World Series, where they will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in a few days.
Max Scherzer had one message for Shane Bieber before the biggest game of his career:
Believe in everybody, because everybody believes in you
That advice stuck as Bieber, who hadn’t thrown a pitch all season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, took the mound for Toronto in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and gave the Blue Jays exactly what they needed: 3 2/3 solid innings, five strikeouts, and a chance to fight back.
Toronto did just that, rallying past the Seattle Mariners 4–3 on Monday to punch their ticket to the World Series where they will face the LA Dodgers in just a few days.
Bieber: “It’s a Surreal Feeling and I’m Grateful.”
Shane Bieber’s return was remarkable on its own. Once the ace of Cleveland’s rotation and the 2020 Cy Young winner, he’d been traded to Toronto in July while still recovering from elbow surgery. By his own admission, he didn’t know how much he had left.
God’s honest truth, I was just focused on trying to get back to pitching in the Major Leagues so I could help this group and this team, and try and win games. Next thing you know, I find myself pitching Game 7 of the ALCS. It’s a surreal feeling and I’m grateful.
Gausman: “I Was Pretty Fired Up.”
After Bieber exited, the Blue Jays turned to a mix of relievers and starters willing to do whatever it took.
Louis Varland and Seranthony Dominguez bridged the middle innings before manager John Schneider called on Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, both starting pitchers, to pitch in relief.
Gausman walked three batters but escaped without giving up a run, then watched George Springer blast a three-run homer to give Toronto the lead.
Gausman said, holding the American League trophy after the win,
Oh, it was fun. It was a little hard for me to find the zone, but I made a big pitch, got a double play, and made another play to get a big out. I was pretty fired up.
Bassitt handled the eighth, and Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win.
In the clubhouse afterward, teammates drenched Bieber in beer as he smiled and spoke about what made this team special.
Everybody believes in each other, man, and that’s what’s special about this group.
Scherzer, 41 and in his first season with Toronto Blue Jays, summed it up best:
When I started playing with this team, I had to dream. I started dreaming with these guys, and everybody started dreaming. Here it is, the dream is real.
